U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin

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U.S. Department of State usstatebpa@public.govdelivery.com

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U.S. Department of State
Public Schedule – March 16, 2026

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03/15/2026 08:58 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

Public Schedule – March 16, 2026

Public Schedule

March 15, 2026

***THE DAILY PUBLIC SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO  

Secretary Rubio attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State and the White House. 

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER LANDAU 

Deputy Secretary Landau attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State. 

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE FOR MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES MICHAEL J. RIGAS 

Deputy Secretary Rigas attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State. 

UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS ALLISON M. HOOKER 

10:15 a.m. Under Secretary Hooker meets with Greek Ambassador to the United States Antonis Alexandridis at the Department of State. 
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE) 

SENIOR BUREAU OFFICIAL FOR EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS BRENDAN P. HANRAHAN 

9:15 a.m. Senior Bureau Official Hanrahan attends the Ireland Funds Gala in Washington, D.C. 
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST) 

BRIEFING SCHEDULE 

No Department Press Briefing. 

Public Schedule – March 17, 2026

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03/16/2026 09:07 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

Public Schedule – March 17, 2026

Public Schedule

March 16, 2026

                                                   ***THE DAILY PUBLIC SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

 

SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO

Secretary Rubio attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State and the White House.

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER LANDAU

1:00 p.m. Deputy Secretary Landau meets with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez and Defense Minister Henry Saenz Ramos at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE FOR MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES MICHAEL J. RIGAS

Deputy Secretary Rigas attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State.

UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS ALLISON M. HOOKER

4:30 p.m. Under Secretary Hooker meets with Republic of Korea Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

 

BRIEFING SCHEDULE

No Department Press Briefing.

On the Occasion of St. Patrick’s Day

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03/17/2026 12:01 AM EDT

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

On the Occasion of St. Patrick’s Day

Press Statement

March 17, 2026

On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my congratulations to the people of Ireland as you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

The bond between our nations is truly special and enduring. Over 30 million Americans claim Irish heritage, and Ireland’s contributions to American independence, from Charles Thomson’s design of the Great Seal of the United States to the nine signers of the Declaration of Independence of Irish origin, are woven into our nation’s founding.

As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we look forward to deepening our partnership to meet the opportunities and challenges of today’s world. Our trade and investment relationship stands at over $1 trillion, with Ireland ranking as the fifth-largest foreign investor in the United States, supporting over 375,000 American jobs across all 50 states. We are committed to advancing fair trade policies that benefit us all. The United States and Ireland enjoy close cooperation, and we remain committed to working together to safeguard our shared security and address global challenges. Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh.

On the Occasion of St. Patrick’s Day

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03/17/2026 12:01 AM EDT

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

On the Occasion of St. Patrick’s Day

Press Statement

March 17, 2026

On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my congratulations to the people of Ireland as you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

The bond between our nations is truly special and enduring. Over 30 million Americans claim Irish heritage, and Ireland’s contributions to American independence, from Charles Thomson’s design of the Great Seal of the United States to the nine signers of the Declaration of Independence of Irish origin, are woven into our nation’s founding.

As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we look forward to deepening our partnership to meet the opportunities and challenges of today’s world. Our trade and investment relationship stands at over $1 trillion, with Ireland ranking as the fifth-largest foreign investor in the United States, supporting over 375,000 American jobs across all 50 states. We are committed to advancing fair trade policies that benefit us all. The United States and Ireland enjoy close cooperation, and we remain committed to working together to safeguard our shared security and address global challenges. Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh.

On the Occasion of St. Patrick’s Day

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03/17/2026 12:01 AM EDT

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

On the Occasion of St. Patrick’s Day

Press Statement

March 17, 2026

On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my congratulations to the people of Ireland as you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

The bond between our nations is truly special and enduring. Over 30 million Americans claim Irish heritage, and Ireland’s contributions to American independence, from Charles Thomson’s design of the Great Seal of the United States to the nine signers of the Declaration of Independence of Irish origin, are woven into our nation’s founding.

As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we look forward to deepening our partnership to meet the opportunities and challenges of today’s world. Our trade and investment relationship stands at over $1 trillion, with Ireland ranking as the fifth-largest foreign investor in the United States, supporting over 375,000 American jobs across all 50 states. We are committed to advancing fair trade policies that benefit us all. The United States and Ireland enjoy close cooperation, and we remain committed to working together to safeguard our shared security and address global challenges. Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh.

Under Secretary Helberg’s Travel to Texas to Sign Pax Silica Declaration with Sweden

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03/17/2026 10:12 AM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

Under Secretary Helberg’s Travel to Texas to Sign Pax Silica Declaration with Sweden

Media Note

March 17, 2026

Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg will travel to Houston, Texas, on March 17, 2026, with U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden Christine Toretti to meet with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard. Foreign Minister Stenergard will sign the Pax Silica Declaration on behalf of Sweden, observed by Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, marking Sweden’s entry into the Pax Silica initiative.

Sweden will be the first EU Member State to sign the Pax Silica Declaration since its official launch in December 2025, furthering efforts to build a network of trusted partners to secure global technology supply chains, address AI-related opportunities and vulnerabilities, and pursue joint investment. With this signing, Sweden becomes the twelfth Pax Silica member, joining Australia, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Pax Silica is a positive-sum partnership of nations that want to remain competitive and prosperous.

Upon conclusion of the ceremony, Under Secretary Helberg will depart for Dallas to meet with the President and CEO of the Ericsson Group Börje Ekholm and the President and CEO of Ericsson Americas Yossi Cohen. The Under Secretary will tour Ericsson’s USA 5G Smart Factory, which manufactures equipment powering 5G networks across the United States.

For further information, please submit questions here, and stay updated by following @UnderSecE on X. 

To learn more, visit Pax Silica.

Under Secretary Helberg’s Travel to Texas to Sign Pax Silica Declaration with Sweden

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03/17/2026 10:12 AM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

Under Secretary Helberg’s Travel to Texas to Sign Pax Silica Declaration with Sweden

Media Note

March 17, 2026

Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg will travel to Houston, Texas, on March 17, 2026, with U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden Christine Toretti to meet with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard. Foreign Minister Stenergard will sign the Pax Silica Declaration on behalf of Sweden, observed by Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, marking Sweden’s entry into the Pax Silica initiative.

Sweden will be the first EU Member State to sign the Pax Silica Declaration since its official launch in December 2025, furthering efforts to build a network of trusted partners to secure global technology supply chains, address AI-related opportunities and vulnerabilities, and pursue joint investment. With this signing, Sweden becomes the twelfth Pax Silica member, joining Australia, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Pax Silica is a positive-sum partnership of nations that want to remain competitive and prosperous.

Upon conclusion of the ceremony, Under Secretary Helberg will depart for Dallas to meet with the President and CEO of the Ericsson Group Börje Ekholm and the President and CEO of Ericsson Americas Yossi Cohen. The Under Secretary will tour Ericsson’s USA 5G Smart Factory, which manufactures equipment powering 5G networks across the United States.

For further information, please submit questions here, and stay updated by following @UnderSecE on X. 

To learn more, visit Pax Silica.

Joint Statement on the U.S.-Mongolia Annual Bilateral Consultation

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03/17/2026 12:04 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

Joint Statement on the U.S.-Mongolia Annual Bilateral Consultation

Media Note

March 17, 2026

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Mongolia on the occasion of the Annual Bilateral Consultations.

Begin text:

Representatives of the United States and Mongolia held the 17th Annual Bilateral Consultations on March 17 in Ulaanbaatar.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Michael George DeSombre, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and L. Munkhtushig, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia. It was attended by Richard Buangan, Ambassador of the United States of America to Mongolia, and U. Batbayar, Ambassador of Mongolia to the United States of America; by representatives from the U.S. Department of State and Department of War; and by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy and Development, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Energy, and Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications of Mongolia.

Recognizing that Mongolia and the United States have a shared interest in global peace, freedom, democracy, and economic prosperity, the two sides expressed their continued support for the U.S.-Mongolia Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership and pledged to deepen cooperation. Both sides celebrated the upcoming completion of the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s $462 million Mongolia Water Compact.

Mongolian and U.S. officials discussed their cooperation to promote bilateral and regional cooperation on peace and security matters, including in the Indo-Pacific, grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. The United States welcomed Mongolia’s commitment to increasing its contributions to international stability and security, including through playing a leading role in peacekeeping missions around the world. Both sides highlighted their shared resolve to promote responsible and legal travel through the Travel Responsibly campaign and other cooperation. They also discussed continuing their work together to uphold freedom of expression, religious freedom, and other human rights.

The two sides reaffirmed the importance of exchanging high-level visits and maintaining regular dialogues, as well as bolstering mutually beneficial economic engagement. They also committed to exploring opportunities to expand energy cooperation as a means of increasing long-term economic growth for both countries. Both sides expressed interest in collaborating in the digital domain, including artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, to strengthen connectivity and prosperity. They highlighted critical minerals and clean coal technologies as areas for potential cooperation, and affirmed their desire to explore cooperation on alternative sources of energy. Both sides recognized that a predictable and transparent business climate is essential to expanding economic cooperation and increasing bilateral trade and investment.

The two sides committed to continue to work together to bolster people-to-people ties through educational and cultural exchanges and the promotion of the English language in Mongolia.

The United States and Mongolia decided to maintain the exchange of high-level bilateral visits and hold the next Annual Bilateral Consultations in 2027 in Washington.

End text.

Official Campaign Launch for United States Candidates at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

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03/17/2026 03:54 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

Official Campaign Launch for United States Candidates at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Media Note

March 17, 2026

The United States has officially launched campaigns to re-elect Doreen Bogdan-Martin as ITU Secretary-General, elect Jennifer Warren to the ITU Radio Regulations Board (RRB), and re-elect the United States to the ITU Council. The campaign launch took place during the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) Assembly in San José, Costa Rica, March 16-19, 2025. These elections will take place during the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, Qatar, in November 2026.

Strong U.S. leadership at the ITU helps foster innovation and economic growth through resilient and secure connectivity. The ITU helps set the international frameworks for spectrum and satellite communications that power communications networks and the modern economy. As the world’s leader in telecommunication and information and communication technology, the United States proudly promotes exceptional leadership at the ITU.

In her first term as Secretary General of the ITU, Ms. Bogdan-Martin has delivered principled, results-driven leadership grounded in transparency, accountability, and technical excellence. As the U.S. candidate for RRB, Ms. Warren offers more than three decades of experience in spectrum, space, satellite, and radiocommunications policy across government, industry, and academia. For re-election to the ITU Council, the United States will continue contributing to the organization’s governance and oversight as the ITU’s founding member and the organization’s largest financial contributor.

At a moment when technology is reshaping economies worldwide, U.S. leadership at the ITU is critical. Voting for the United States is a vote for an ITU that remains focused on solutions that drive innovation and prosperity.

For more information, visit the U.S. candidates for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) page.

Secretary Rubio’s Call with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan

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03/17/2026 04:39 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

Secretary Rubio’s Call with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Readout

March 17, 2026

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Secretary expressed his condolences for those killed in Iran’s indiscriminate attacks on the UAE, and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the security of the Emirates.

Deputy Secretary Landau’s Call with Nauruan President Adeang

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03/17/2026 04:57 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

Deputy Secretary Landau’s Call with Nauruan President Adeang

Readout

March 17, 2026

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau spoke with Nauruan President David Adeang about advancing shared interests in the Pacific. They discussed the potential to work together on preventing illegal activities in the region, on increasing opportunities for investment and economic growth in the Pacific Islands, including through enhanced air travel and deep seabed mining, and on cooperating on migration. Their conversation followed the Pacific Agenda Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit in Honolulu, which supported the Trump Administration’s focus on private-sector-led growth. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a strong bilateral relationship and a peaceful, prosperous Pacific.

Public Schedule – March 18, 2026

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03/17/2026 08:59 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

Public Schedule – March 18, 2026

Public Schedule

March 17, 2026

***THE DAILY PUBLIC SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO

Secretary Rubio attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State and the White House.

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER LANDAU

Deputy Secretary Landau attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State.

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE FOR MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES MICHAEL J. RIGAS

Deputy Secretary Rigas attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State.

UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS ALLISON M. HOOKER

11:45 a.m. Under Secretary Hooker meets with Uzbekistan Ambassador to the United States Furqat Sidikovat at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ARMS CONTROL AND NONPROLIFERATION DR. CHRISTOPHER T. YEAW

8:30 a.m. Assistant Secretary Yeaw meets with Polish Chargé d’Affaires Bogdan Klich at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR RILEY M. BARNES

Assistant Secretary Barnes is on travel to El Salvador from March 18-20, 2026.

SENIOR BUREAU OFFICIAL FOR EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS BRENDAN P. HANRAHAN

9:30 a.m. Senior Bureau Official Hanrahan meets with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Defense and Security Committee at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

BRIEFING SCHEDULE

No Department Press Briefing.

State Department Expands Visa Bonds to Combat Illegal Overstay Rates

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03/18/2026 12:03 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

State Department Expands Visa Bonds to Combat Illegal Overstay Rates

Fact Sheet

March 18, 2026

The State Department is expanding its visa bond program to apply to a total of 50 countries on April 2 and will require foreign nationals from these countries to post a bond of $15,000 before receiving B1 or B2 visas for business and tourism in the United States. The bond will be returned to visa recipients who return home in compliance with the terms of the visa and the bond or does not travel.

Preventing Illegal Visa Overstays: The visa bond program has already proven effective at drastically reducing the number of visa recipients who overstay their visas and illegally remain in the United States.

  • Nearly 1,000 foreigners have been issued visas under the program, and 97% of bonded travelers have returned home from the United States on time.
  • By contrast, in Biden’s last year in office, more than 44,000 visitors from the 50 current Visa Bonds countries overstayed.
  • The State Department’s April 2 action will apply the visa bond policy to 12 additional nations.
  • The Department may continue to place Visa Bonds on countries based on a range of immigration risk factors.

Saving Taxpayer Dollars: The expanded visa bond program saves the American taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars every year.

  • It costs the U.S. taxpayer over $18,000 on average to remove an alien illegally present in the United States.
  • The Department of State is saving U.S. taxpayers up to $800 million per year that would otherwise be required to remove these aliens who overstay.

Nations Included in the Visa Bond Program:

The new countries included in the visa bond program are Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.

These countries join 38 nations that are already included in the visa bond program. Those countries are Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Public Schedule – March 19, 2026

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03/18/2026 08:23 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

Public Schedule – March 19, 2026

Public Schedule

March 18, 2026

***THE DAILY PUBLIC SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO

Secretary Rubio attends meetings and briefings at the White House.

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER LANDAU

11:15 a.m. Deputy Secretary Landau meets with Uzbekistan Presidential Advisor Abdulaziz Kamilov at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE FOR MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES MICHAEL J. RIGAS

Deputy Secretary Rigas attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State.

UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS ALLISON M. HOOKER

4:30 p.m. Under Secretary Hooker meets with Pakistan Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ARMS CONTROL AND NONPROLIFERATION DR. CHRISTOPHER T. YEAW

4:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Yeaw delivers remarks at the quarterly meeting of the Nuclear Energy Institute’s International Executive Task Force in Washington, D.C.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC, ENERGY, AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS CALEB ORR

Assistant Secretary Orr is on travel to Louisiana on March 19, 2026.

SENIOR BUREAU OFFICIAL FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS NICK CHECKER

9:45 a.m. Senior Bureau Official Checker delivers remarks at a panel discussion on “Powering the Future of the US-Africa Energy Partnership: What Has Been Achieved Since PAS 2025?” at the 11th Annual Powering Africa Summit in Washington, D.C.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)

SENIOR BUREAU OFFICIAL FOR EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS BRENDAN P. HANRAHAN

6:00 p.m. Senior Bureau Official Hanrahan attends a working dinner hosted by Slovak Ambassador to the United States Andrej Droba in Washington, D.C.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)

BRIEFING SCHEDULE

No Department Press Briefing.

Joint Statement by the Governments of the United States of America, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of Rwanda on Advancing the Washington Accords

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03/18/2026 08:28 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

Joint Statement by the Governments of the United States of America, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of Rwanda on Advancing the Washington Accords

Media Note

March 18, 2026

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of Rwanda.

Begin text:

On March 17-18, 2026, representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda met in Washington, D.C. and agreed to concrete steps to further implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity.

The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a series of coordinated steps to de-escalate tensions and advance progress on the ground.  These efforts include a mutual commitment to specific measures to support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the scheduled disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda in defined areas in DRC territory, time-bound and intensified efforts by the DRC to neutralize the FDLR, and the protection of all civilians.

The DRC and Rwanda reaffirmed their commitments under the Washington Accords to achieve lasting peace and prosperity in the region.

End text.

Implementing the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy in Angola

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03/19/2026 12:40 PM EDT

Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson

Implementing the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy in Angola

Press Statement

March 19, 2026

Today, the United States and the Republic of Angola signed a five-year bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), advancing the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy in Africa.

Working with Congress, the Department of State intends to provide $71 million to support HIV, malaria, and global health security programming, while Angola will invest $50 million—with 30 percent dedicated to essential laboratory and health commodities. The MOU promotes private sector integration, leveraging both U.S. companies and Angolan to strengthen health systems in human resources, data management, and supply chains.

Additionally, the MOU includes $5 million in global health security funding to strengthen laboratory capacity, especially in remote, underserved areas, enabling Angola to better and more rapidly detect and respond to potential pathogens of concern before they can spread to the United States. The $121 million bilateral health cooperation will advance shared health priorities and strengthen Angola’s path toward health care independence.

America First Global Health Strategy Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed so far represent more than $20.5 billion in new health funding including more than $12.7 billion in U.S. assistance alongside $7.8 billion in co-investment from recipient countries, building on decades of progress fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases around the world. As of March 19, the State Department has signed 27 bilateral global health MOUs with Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.

State Department Partners with El Al Airlines to Return Americans to the United States

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03/19/2026 02:02 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

State Department Partners with El Al Airlines to Return Americans to the United States

Fact Sheet

March 19, 2026

The State Department has partnered with El Al Airlines to arrange non-stop flights, designated exclusively for American citizens, from Tel Aviv to the United States. These flights have already allowed more than 2,000 American citizens to return to the United States from Israel. Tickets for these flights were provided at a discount rate to ensure that Americans wishing to leave Israel have the opportunity to do so.

Returning American Citizens to the United States:

  • El Al chartered flights from Israel to Newark and New York from March 16 to March 19 have returned over 2,000 Americans to the United States at no cost to the American taxpayer.
  • Each of these flights was designated exclusively for American citizens.
  • El Al is offering tickets for these flights at a discount and below cost, and waived reticketing charges for those who already held a ticket.
  • Additionally, El Al will continue to reserve a percentage of seats on all regular U.S.-bound flights for Americans wishing to depart Israel.
  • El Al has scheduled 28 commercial flights to North America to take place over the next 7 days to the extent permitted by the Israeli authorities.
  • After the launch of Operation Epic Fury, the Department offered charter flight options to thousands of Americans wishing to leave Israel to Athens and destinations in the United States, as well as ground transportation options to Egypt – with supply exceeding demand on nearly every chartered flight and bus.

Additional Options for American Citizens Returning to the United States from Israel:

  • Ben Gurion Airport is open for other limited commercial flights including from El Al, Israir, Arkia, and Air Haifa.
  • Americans seeking to depart Israel should also consider overland routes to Taba, Egypt, where commercial options to depart the region are currently operating.
  • The Israeli Ministry of Transport has provided an application form for foreign nationals staying in Israel to request support departing Israel during an emergency.

Building On the State Department’s Evacuation Effort:

  • More than 70,000 Americans have left the Middle East and returned to the United States since February 28.
  • The State Department provided security guidance and travel assistance to more than 41,000 American citizens.
  • The United States government arranged over 60 evacuation flights from the Middle East since February 28.
  • The State Department has reached out to every American who has registered interest in our support and offered them personalized assistance.
  • The State Department is also continuing to help Americans in other countries in the region who are seeking options to depart.

Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Martínez and Minister of Defense General Saenz

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03/19/2026 02:40 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Martínez and Minister of Defense General Saenz

Readout

March 19, 2026

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Martínez and Minister of Defense General Henry Saenz.  They discussed ongoing cooperation to combat narco-trafficking and transnational criminal organizations, building on Guatemala’s participation in the March 5 Americas Counter Cartel Conference at U.S. Southern Command.  

Deputy Secretary Landau expressed appreciation for Guatemala’s effective response to recent gang-related violence, congratulated Guatemala on its efforts toward creating its first centralized targeting center, and welcomed efforts on reforms to modernize port security and cooperate on countering illegal immigration.  Deputy Secretary Landau highlighted Guatemala’s important role in regional efforts to promote stability in Haiti and thanked Guatemala for its contribution to the Gang Suppression Force.  Both sides affirmed the importance of strong democratic institutions and reiterated their commitment to work together to advance security, prosperity, and the rule of law for the people of both countries.

On the Death of Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church

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03/19/2026 04:05 PM EDT

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

On the Death of Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church

Press Statement

March 19, 2026

We mourn the passing of His Holiness, Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II, and offer our sincere condolences to the people of Georgia, as well as to all the faithful of the Georgian Orthodox Church.  His spiritual leadership and enduring legacy will be remembered for generations to come.  May he rest in peace.

On the Death of Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church

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03/19/2026 04:05 PM EDT

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

On the Death of Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church

Press Statement

March 19, 2026

We mourn the passing of His Holiness, Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II, and offer our sincere condolences to the people of Georgia, as well as to all the faithful of the Georgian Orthodox Church.  His spiritual leadership and enduring legacy will be remembered for generations to come.  May he rest in peace.

On the Death of Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church

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03/19/2026 04:05 PM EDT

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

On the Death of Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church

Press Statement

March 19, 2026

We mourn the passing of His Holiness, Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II, and offer our sincere condolences to the people of Georgia, as well as to all the faithful of the Georgian Orthodox Church.  His spiritual leadership and enduring legacy will be remembered for generations to come.  May he rest in peace.

Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Uzbekistan Special Representative for Foreign Affairs Kamilov

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